Mandrel.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

G. W. GOMBER.

MANDREL.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR.23,1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

8140mm 1 fg eji aombex aims PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.-

G. W. GOMBBR.

MANDREL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.23,1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' pvbliwzmeo PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

G. W. GOMBER.

MANDRBL.

APPLICATION nun R23. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Geo attorney UNITED STATES PATENT oFFion.

GEORGE W. GOMBER, OF (JONYNGrHAM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HULDA GOMBER, OF CONYNGHAM, PENN SYLVANIA;

MANDREL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed March 23, 1905. Serial No. 251,664.

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. GoMBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Conyngham, in the county of Luzerne and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mandrels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inven tion, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to mandrel construc tion; and my object is to provide a tabletholding mandrel for talking-machines of that variety wherein a cylindrical tablet is employed to carry the record.

The device is substantially similar to that described and claimed by me in an application filed on September 20, 1901, Serial No. 75,919 in a renewal application filed by me on May 28, 1903, Serial No. 159,213, and in an application filed on January 14, 1904, Serial No. 189,058.

The essential feature of novelty involved in my invention is the provision of a reliable supporting medium for the tablet, the parts of which are so constructed and combined as to yieldingly receive the mandrel until the latter is forced home thereon and at the same time afford a positive or unyielding form of support for the tablet and truly center the same around the axial plane of the mandrelshaft.

Other objects and advantages will be here inafter clearly set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in-which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention complete ready for use, showing part of the supporting-shaft or axle therefor. Fig. 2 is an end view of my improved tablet-mandrel, showing the tablet in position thereon, said view being taken from the left side of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows the opposite end of my mandrel from that presented in Fig. 2. Fig.

4 is a view in perspective of one of the springarms of my mandrel removed. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of part of my mandrel, taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Figs. 6, 7, andS show a modified form of construction. Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of centering-disk or end section. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another modified form of construction. Fig.

fication.

Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of another modified form.

Referring to the numerals of the drawings, 1 indicates the axle or mandrel-shaft, the mandrel proper being adjustably mounted thereon, as will be hereinafter more clearly specified.

What may be termed the body portion of my improved mandrel comprises the end sections 2 and 3, held in permanent relationship to each other in any preferred way, as by being rigidly secured to the ends of the rods 4, it being understood that any preferred number of said rods may be employed to insure that the said end sections will be permanently united. Each of said end sections is substantially disk-like in form, being readily blanked out of any suitable variety of sheet metal. The section 3 is designed as the inner or larger end of the mandrel in cases where the mandrel is conical in form and is provided at regular intervals with the notches 6, designed to receive a contiguous part of the radially-disposed spring arms or members 7. My purpose is to connect each of the spring-arms 7 to the inner end section 3, so that the outer ends thereof will rest against the periphery of the end section 2 when the tablet is placed thereon. Ob viously the spring members 7 maybe connected in a great variety of ways to the inner end section 3 and may be limited in the outer movement of their free ends by any preferred devices which will place each of the free ends in connection with the outer end. disk, and the following-described construction is therefore representative of any preferred means which may be employed to secure and hold the spring-arms in proper cooperative relationship to both of the end sections. It will be observed that the inner end section 3 is provided with a plurality of radiallydisposed slots 8, located equidistant from each other and from the central aperture in which the shaft 1 is disposed, the OfllCe of said slots being to receive the inwardly-directed angular branch or extension 9, the length of said extension being sufficient to dispose the extreme end or terminal 10 directly against the inner face of the disk 3 at a point between the inner end of the slotted opening 8 and the diametrical shaft-receiving aperture, as more clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. The opposite or free end of each of the spring-arms or expansible members 7 is of sufficient length to extend beyond the end. section 2, said free end being bent u on itself to provide the inwardlydirected nger or branch 11., the extreme inner end of which is adapted to enter and play within one of the radial slots 12, formed in the end section 2 near the outer edge thereof. It therefore follows that when the fingers 11 are entered each in its respective slot 12 the outer ends of the expansible or spring members 7 will be circumscribed in their outer movement. It is further obvious that the inner movement of each of the expansible or spring members 7 will be controlled or limited by contacting with the periphery of the end sections 2, and since the aperture provided for the shaft 1 in the end section 2 is truly concentric with the pe riphery thereof all of the outer ends of the spring members 7 will, when brought in contact with the edge of the end section 2, be

I disposed in the same circumferential plane extending around theaxial plane, thereby insuring that the tablet upon the mandrel will also be concentric with said axial plane. It may be stated that the inner bore of a tablet as now commonly constructed is slightly conical, and I further compensate for this formation by forming the inner end section 3 of slightly greater diameter than the outer end section 2, though. it is obvious that this arrangement may be reversed or both of the end sections may be made the same in size.

Any suitable means may be provided for removably securing my mandrel in position upon the shaft, as a simple form of spring member 13, secured to one of the end sections and provided with an extension 14, the extreme end of which is adapted to engage and bear against a contiguous part of the shaft 1, as fully illustrated in Fig. 1 and other views.

In illustration of the fact that the expansible spring members 7 may be variously shaped and secured in cooperative relationship with the end sections 2 and 3 attention is called to Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, wherein it will be observed that the spring members 7,which are designed to directly engage the inner face of the bore of the tablets, are formed of a longer section of spring-wire than is employed in forming the spring-arm illustrated in Fig. 4, such wire being bent upon itself, as indicated by the numeral 15, the section 7 being designed to rest in one of the recesses 6, while the extension 1.6 is passed through one of the slots 8 in the end section 3, while the extreme end of the section 16 is provided with a hook-like terminal 17, which latter is designed to be passed through the slot 12 in the outer end section 2, said hook engaging the extreme inner end of said slot, thereby leaving sufficient room for free play of the finger 11. in the outer portion of the slot, said fin er being designed, as hereinbefore stated, to imit the outward movement of the outer end of the expansible member or spring-arm 7. The office performed by the hooktermi nal 17 is obviously to prevent a casual inward movement of the spring-arms 7 relative to the end sections of the mandrel. It will thus be apparent that only the spring-arms of my mandrel will come in contact with the tablet, inasmuch as the recesses 6 are only of sufficient depth to hold said arms in proper position relative to the periphery of the end section 3, there preferably being no recesses upon the end section 2. By thus providing means to set up a frictional engagement between my mandrel and its supporting-shaft 1, in this instance consisting of a tension-finger 14, my mandrel, it is obvious, may be readily moved longitudinally in either direction upon its concentrically-disposed supporting-shaft, so as to dispose the tablet upon the mandrel in true relation to the recorder or reproducer, an important and valuable desideratum, inasmuch as some records are started very near the end of the tablet, while others are started a considerable distance from the end, and as the point of beginning of the rec- 0rd is very clear the operator may quickly dispose the tablet at the proper point and insure that no appreciable interim of rotation of the tablet will follow before reproduction of the record begins.

By reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 6 of the drawings it will be observed that the outer ends of the expansible members 7 normally lie out of contact with the periphery of the outer end section, thus permitting a slight inward movement of eachof said expansible members incident to the placing of the tablet in position upon my mandrel, and, as before stated, when the expansible members are thus moved inward they will all be disposed the same distance away from the center of the mandrel and insure that the tablet upon the mandrel will be truly or concentrically rotated. It will thus be obvious that a tablet may be quickly disposed upon orremoved from my improved mandrel and that since the tablet is engaged only at certain points all liabilty of cracking and consequent destruction of the tablet incident to the contraction and expansion of the mandrel or tablet is wholly removed. My improved mandrel will therefore be found to be absolutely safe for use in connection with a tablet of the most delicate or fragile character, and, moreover, the mandrel, with the tablet thereon, may be bodily and longitudinally moved to attain a perfect adjustment.

It will be understood that the relative size of the end sections 2 and 3 will determine the character or size ofthe cone-shaped mandrel and that when the free ends of all of the spring members 7 are pressed inward against the outer edge of the disk or end section 2 said spring members will be disposed so as to present a cone-like receiver or mandrel for the conical bore of the tablet. It is obvious, however, that should it be desirable to have a tablet with a cylindrical bore instead of having said bore conical in form, as is now common, then the end sections 2 and 3 should be substantially the same size, and the tablet will thus be held in place by means of the tensile property of said spring members. In the use of tablets having a conical bore it is of course important to form the disk sections 2 and 3 so that a true cone will be produced when all of the free ends of the spring members are forced inward against the contiguous edge of the smaller disk, thereby positively seating the free end of each spring member in a secure and reliable manner, and thereby holding both ends of the tablet in a position that will be true with respect to the axis of the mandrel.

The parts of my mandrel, it will be observed, may each be readily manufactured or formed, as by the simple operation of stamping or bending, and said parts quickly assembled each in its respective operative position, and while I have described the preferred con struction and combination of parts I desire to comprehend such substantial equivalents and substitutes as may be regarded as falling fairly within the scope of my invention. Among these other modifications are those illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13. The construction shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12 consists of end disks 18 and 19, which are permanently connected by rods 4, placed at suitable inter vals. Circular apertures 20 are formed with- .in disk 19 and receive S-shaped extensions 21 of spring-arms 22. The ends of the extensions 21 bear on the inner face of disk 19. The other ends of the rods 22 are U-shaped and extend beyond disk 18. These U-shaped portions loosely engage apertures 23, formed in disk 18. By reason of the peculiar formation of extensions 21 the same force their arms 22 laterally, so that they are held normally spread apart. In view of the fact, however, that the U-shaped portions of the arms are fitted loosely within apertures 23 said arms can be partly contracted when a tablet is placed upon the mandrel. In Fig. 13 I have shown end disks 24 and 25 connected by a sleeve 26, adapted to receive the mandrel-shaft. Spring-arms 27 are secured to disk 24 by means of screws 28 entering eyes 29, and these spring-arms extend a considerable distance past disk 25 and are recurved, the ends thereof projecting through apertures 30 in disk 25 and being capable of moving longitudinally therein. Arms 25 are normally spread apart, but'can be'drawn together by contracting the recurved portions thereof.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tabletmandrel comprising suitable end sections, means to secure said sections in operative relationship, in combination with a plurality of spring-like tablet-engaging devices properly secured to the inner end section and limited in their inner and outer movements by devices carried by the outer end section and cooperating with the free end of said spring, all combined substantially as specified and for the purpose set forth.

2. A tablet-mandrel comprising a disk-like inner and outer end section, devices adapted to operatively secure said sections in permanent relationship with each other, a plurality of radially-disposed spring members 7 carried by the inner end section and extending into engagement with the outer end section, all combined substantially as specified and for the purpose set forth.

3. In tablet-mandrels, the combination with a suitable shaft of a pair of disk-like end sections, a rod or rods firmly connecting said disks together and holding them in permanent union, a plurality of tablet-engaging members 7, means to secure the inner ends of said members rigidly in union with the inner disk-like end section and additional means to so connect the outer end of each of said members with the outer disks, the said outer ends will be free to move inward when the tablet is disposed over them, all substantially as specified and for the purpose set forth.

4. The herein-described tablet-mandrel comprisinga pair of disk-like end sections 2 and 3 having a central aperture designed to receive the actuating-shaft, a clampingspring 15 carried by one or both of said end sections, in combination with a plurality of rods 4 rigidly connecting the end sections together, a plurality of tablet-engaging spring members 7 each bent upon itself to provide the inwardly-directed branch 10 adapted to take through a slot 9 in the inner disk, and each having upon its free end a hook 12 designed to reach through and engage the lower edge of its individual slot 11 provided in the outer head, each spring member 7 also having an anchoring-terminal 14 formed bybending the free end of the main section upon itself to provide the loop 13, said terminal being designed to also reach into engagement with the slot 11 and thereby limit the outer travel of the spring though permitting a free IIO inward movement thereof'when the tablet is dis osed in position, all combined substantial y as specified and for the purpose set forth.

5. A tablet-mandrel comprising suitable end sections, means to secure said sections in operative relationship, in combination with a plurality of tablet-engaging devices properly secured to one of said end sections, said tablet-engaging devices being limited at their free ends in their inner and outer movements by the outer end section- 6. A mandrel having suitable end sections, and elastic connecting devices engaging the end sections.

7. A mandrel having suitable end sections, and elastic connecting devices engaging the end sections and bodily movable at all points therebetween.

8-. A mandrel having suitable end sections and expansible devices carried by one end section and limited in their inner and outer movement by the other end section, as set forth.

9. A mandrel comprising a plurality of spring-arms carried by one end, and suitable means at the other end adapted to seat the free ends of said arms whereby they will be limited in their inner movement and when seated will lie in common circle having its center in the axial plane of the mandrel, substantially as specified and for the purpose set forth.

10. A mandrel having at one end a plurality of tablet-engaging devices and provided with means at the other end to limit the inner movement of the free ends of said devices, whereby said free ends when moved inward will find a common radius around the axial plane of the mandrel, as set forth.

1 1. Amandrel having a plurality of tablet engaging spring-arms and also having means to limit the inward movement of said arms whereby they will all be seated equidistant from the axial plane of the mandrel as set forth.

12. Amandrel for talking-machines adapted to hold a tablet in true cooperative relation with the recorder or reproducer, said mandrel comprising a plurality of springarms adapted to enter the bore of the tablet, and a centering device for both ends of said arms for disposing both the inner and outer ends equidistant around a common center, as and for the purpose set forth.

13. A mandrel having a plurality of elastic tablet-receiving devices secured at one end, and means adapted to dispose said devices around a common center when the mandrel is seated.

14. A mandrel having suitable end sections, and elastic connecting devices engaging the end sections and adapted to move bodily along lines radiating from the center of the mandrel.

15. A mandrel having suitable end sections and bodily-movable devices carried by one end section and limited in their inner and outer movement by the other end section.

16. A mandrel comprising a plurality of bodily-movable springarms carried by one end, and suitable means at the other end adapted to seat the free ends of said arms whereby they will be limited in their inner movement and when seated will lie in a common circle having its center in the axial plane of the mandrel.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- GEORGE W. GOMBER.

Witnesses:

HARRY 'F. GOMBEE, ERVIN GoMBER. 

